The vineyard area of Moulin-a-Vent stretches across both the Rhone and Saone et Loire departments on the western side of the Saone River. The borders of the appellation touch those of Fleurie in the south, and the vineyards of Chenas are directly north. In fact, the official boundaries of Moulin-a-Vent cover land in the administrative commune of Chenas, and the vineyards surrounding the town of Chenas itself fall under the Moulin-a-Vent appellation.

The most distinctive feature of the terroir here is the pink granite soils, which are shot through with veins of manganese. This mineral – which is not found in quantity in the other Beaujolais crus – is toxic to grapevines and retards growth of both leafy vegetation and grape bunches. As a result, a smaller yield of highly concentrated grapes are produced by the vines, leading to deeper, more intensely flavored wines than are produced in other parts of Beaujolais. It is this concentration that lends Moulin-a-Vent wines ageability, and the best examples can be cellared for ten years and longer.

The vineyards of Moulin-a-Vent lie on the south- and southeast-facing slopes of the Beaujolais hills, where they are protected from harsh continental weather systems from the northwest. Instead, the region’s high sunlight hours and gentle cooling influences from the Mediterranean Sea in the south help to maximize the ripening period, leading to grapes with a good balance of flavor and acidity.

This part of Beaujolais has been under vine for hundreds of years; the most important vineyard developments were undertaken by rich Lyonnais in the 15th Century. The boundaries of the area were officially delimited in 1924, and AOC status was granted in 1936. The name of the appellation refers to the iconic moulin-a-vent (French for ‘windmill’), which enjoys a prominent position on the hill overlooking the vineyards.